SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
PRESENTED TO
COMMUNITY AND STUDENTS TOGETHER (CAST)
(The Foster-Glocester Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force)
BY
INITIATIVES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Sandra P. Del Sesto, M.Ed., CPSS
Christopher Murphy, MSW
Rosalind Kurzer
Marie Waldeck
Julie Holt
Jessica Lopes
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW
3
INTRODUCTION
5
METHODOLOGY
5
BACKGROUND
5
HEALTH ISSUES INDIRECTLY RELATED TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE
12
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: PROTECTIVE AND RISK FACTORS
13
DISCUSSION
16
QUALITY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
23
RECOMMENDATIONS
27
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
33
FOSTER-GLOCESTER KEY INFORMANTS AND FOCUS GROUPS
35
APPENDIX 1 – 2004-2005 SALT Survey Slides
APPENDIX 2 – Community Readiness Information
2
OVERVIEW
Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, misuse and abuse have continued to be major issues at the
national and local level. In 2003, 19.5 million people or 8.2% of the population in the United
States age 12 or older used illicit drugs in the past month (Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration, 2003). About 10.9 million persons ages 12-20 reported drinking alcohol
in the month prior to the survey in 2003 (29% of this age group). Of these, nearly 7.2 million
(19.2%) were binge drinkers and 2.3 million (6.1%) were heavy drinkers. An estimated 13.6% of
persons aged 12 or older drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in the 12 months prior
to the interview in 2003 ( a decrease from 14.2% in 2002). These percentages represent 32.3
million persons in 2003 and 33.5 million persons in 2002.
Locally, the 2004-2005 SALT survey of school-age youth in the State of Rhode Island revealed
that 18% of middle and 43% of high school students are using alcohol in the past month. In
addition, despite a plethora of health warnings, 9% of middle and 22% of high school students
report smoking cigarettes sometime in the month prior to the survey.
In order to provide a theory base for substance abuse prevention programming, the US Center for
Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) has adopted the Risk and Protective Factor Theory of
Hawkins, Catalano, and Miller (1992). Consequently, this theory has been adopted by many
agencies and communities, including Rhode Island’s MHRH Division of Behavioral Healthcare.
It is based on the simple premise: “to prevent a problem from happening, one needs to identify
the risk factors that increase the risk of that problem developing and then find ways to reduce the
risk” (Hogan, Gabrielson, Luna and Grothaus, 2003). This theory also stresses the need to
identify the conditions that serve as protective factors and can potentially increase the resiliency
of individuals, families and children.
The Towns of Foster and Glocester possess many protective factors. They include: 1) Ability of
residents to pay for private care to address health care issues; 2) Families “rally when people need
help;” 3) Community and Students Together and other programs: Youth toYouth; SOS (program
of Sojourner House), Students Against Destructive Decision-Making (SADD), MADD, DARE;
4) Volunteer spirit of community; 5) The citizens-initiated Fostering Foundation for the Arts; and
6) A Juvenile Hearing Board and Truancy Court.
According to those interviewed, Foster-Glocester also has risk factors including: 1) Perception of
youth that “there is little to do” in towns; 2) Use of alcohol and other drugs at school, and in
unsupervised houses, woods and cars, 3) Increased reported use of “hard” drugs such as cocaine;
4) DWI’s by juveniles; 4) No YMCA or teen center in towns; 5) High use of alcohol and other
drugs by youth according to SALT; and 6) No access to mental health/substance abuse services in
Foster-Glocester area.
AT higher rates compared to RI youth of the same age, an overwhelming majority of FosterGlocester Middle School students report “none” when questioned about cigarettes, chewing
tobacco, illegal drug and alcohol use. Non-use rates at the high school level are also higher when
compared to RI data overall with respect to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in the last 30
days. There is an 11% increase in use of cigarettes when Foster-Glocester youth transition from
sixth to seventh grade; a 10% increase in chewing tobacco use; a 12% increase in illegal drug use;
and a 21% increase in the percentage of youth consuming alcohol. This is similar to the 20032004 data that indicated that this transitional age group had the highest increase in use of alcohol
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and other drugs. According to the 2003-2004 SALT survey, the largest increases in use by
students are between sixth and seventh grade. There is a 13% increase in use of cigarettes when
Foster-Glocester youth transition from sixth to seventh grade; an 11% increase in chewing
tobacco use; a 15% increase in illegal drug use; and a 13% increase in the percentage of youth
consuming alcohol.
The following are some highlighted recommendations for the Task Force:
 Information Dissemination: 1) Educate parents on the legal dangers of distributing
alcohol to minors; 2) Present findings of needs assessment to Town Council and School
Committee; 3) Conduct workshops for parents on the dangers of Oxycontin, inhalants,
methamphetamines or “ice” and misuse of prescription medications; 4) Link CAST
website to town’s and school’s website.
 Prevention Education: 1) Begin prevention programming even before fifth grade
program; 2) Add more evidence-based programming as listed on www.prevention.gov.
samsha.gov; 3) Co-sponsor educational events with other health and substance abuse
prevention programs such as Northwest CAP, Tri Town CAP, and Comprehensive CAP;
4) Initiate a transitional program for youth moving from sixth to seventh grade and their
parents.
 Alternatives: 1) Develop additional after-school programming with emphasis on
creative, visual, manual and performing arts; 2) Co-sponsor intergenerational program at
the new Glocester Senior Center; 3) Involve youth in Teen Institute and other prevention
training programs; 4) Sponsor a community forum to address issues surrounding alcohol
and other drugs.
 Community-Based Processes: 1) Promote Night of Compliance for the Foster-Glocester
community; 2) Initiate a “Safe Homes” program; 3) Conduct workshops at night
according to requests of parents; 4) Promote in the community a plan to assist more
senior citizens with transportation needs.
 Environmental Approaches: 1) Collaborate with Juvenile Hearing Board to mandate for
parents of offenders a parenting program such as “Parenting Wisely;” 2) Sponsor a
“Prom Contract” not to use alcohol or other drugs; 3) Increase tobacco and alcohol
compliance checks.
 Problem Identification and Referral: 1) Assist with the development and distribution
of a resource manual that is being created by school district.
In 2004 the University of Rhode Island’s Community Research and Services Team conducted a
study of state and federal prevention funding received by communities through the various state
departments. According to this study, there a great disparity between Glocester and Foster.
Glocester is ranked 13th out of the 39 municipalities in Rhode Island in per capita prevention
spending. The town spends $85.83 per youth, for a total of $227,598 in prevention spending.
This is similar to Jamestown, the 12th ranked town’s per capita prevention spending of $86.48
per capita. By comparison, Foster is ranked 38th and spends $63.47 per youth, for a total of
$70,781 in prevention spending. Narragansett (7th) spends $103.02 per youth, Little Compton
(10th) spends $100.73 per youth and Tiverton (20th) allocates $75.36.
It is recommended that communities implement evidence-based prevention programming that has
proven successful. The Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention (CSAP) has identified model
programs that have been developed and tested in specific age and demographic groups and
proven to be successful in reducing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Examples of these
programs are All Stars, Project ALERT, Parenting Wisely and Strengthening Families. These and
4
other model program can be found at the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention website
www.prevention.samhsa.gov/.
INTRODUCTION
In 2005, Citizens and Students Together (CAST) contracted with Initiatives for Human
Development (IHD) to perform a needs assessment in order to define the substance abuse
prevention needs of individuals and families in the community. The needs assessment
can serve as a source of defensible recommendations for appropriate and effective
strategies in prevention and early intervention as well as an assessment of the impact the
abuse has had on the community and its residents.
METHODOLOGY
CAST identified members of the community, including formal and informal leaders, as
informants who would be instrumental in providing information on substance abuse
issues in the town. IHD staff interviewed them in order to define the nature and extent of
the problem of substance abuse in the town and its substance abuse needs. Each
interview lasted approximately one to one and one-half hours. Interviewers used a set of
questions as a guide for the interview though discussion often extended beyond these
basic questions. In all, 11 persons were interviewed. Two focus groups were also
conducted by the IHD staff with middle and high school students. Informants who were
interviewed ranged in age from persons who were 14 years of age to persons in their
seventies, and in time from persons residing in the town for a few years to forty plus
years. These persons were also from various backgrounds and sectors of the community.
During the interview process, IHD researched the current literature in substance abuse
prevention, specifically with respect to youth in suburban/rural settings. Information on
community readiness was also reviewed, some of which is an Appendix to the report.
BACKGROUND
Demographics Foster, a residential and agricultural town in northwest Rhode Island, was
originally separated from the town of Scituate, and incorporated on August 24, 1781. At
key focal points villages grew up. Hopkins Mills was the first to develop in the early
1700's. Foster Center, the present seat of government, developed later in the eighteenth
century, and it was there that the first Foster town meeting was held in 1781. The village
of Clayville took form in the early nineteenth century, as did Moosup Valley, North
Foster, and Mount Vernon. Foster is rich in historic resources - houses, farmsteads, stone
walls, roads, and mill ruins - and in the natural beauty of its setting - brooks, waterfalls,
woods, swamps, and the plant and animal life they shelter. Foster remains sparsely
settled with almost four-fifths of the town's 52.2 square miles being hilly, and 88.2
percent of the land being forested.
The Town of Glocester (originally "Gloucester") was established in 1639; just three years
after Roger Williams founded Rhode Island's first settlement at Providence. The land was
"disposed of to Roger Williams and his associates by the sachems of local Indian tribes,
5
who received payment that the sachems deemed satisfactory." It is located adjacent to
Foster in northwestern Rhode Island. Glocester is bordered on the north by Burrillville,
on the east by Smithfield, on the south by Scituate and Foster, and on the west by
Killingly and Putnam, Connecticut. It is connected to these various other communities by
Route 44, which runs east-west, and by Route 102, which runs north-south. The state
capital, Providence, is approximately 35 minutes to the east. Glocester is basically a rural
community, dotted throughout by lakes and ponds. Several of these bodies of water are
part of the Providence Water Supply System. Much of the northern portion of the town is
set aside as state-owned parks and forests.
Chepachet, the largest of the villages in Glocester to spring up over the years, was the
seat of government and a bustling trading center during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Chepachet, like its more eastern neighbor, Harmony, continues to flourish. Other
Glocester villages have, as Glocester Historian Edna Kent relates, "lost their identities ...
Williams' Mills, Skeeterville, Hawkins' Village, Clarkville, Cherry Valley, Spring Grove,
Waldron's Corner, and Evans' District ..." Vestiges of these places remain in names of
businesses and favorite swimming holes, however.
According to the 2000 Census, 4,274 people reside in Foster and the median age of the
population is 39.8 years old. In 2000, 21.5% or persons residing in Foster were 15 years
of age or younger, 447(10.4%) were 65 and over.
Population
4,274
White
4,157
Hispanic or Latino
34
Black or African American
9
Asian
25
American Indian and Alaskan Native
10
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
4
Some Other Race
11
Two or More Races
58
97.3%
0.8%
0.2%
0.6%
0.2%
0.1%
0.3%
1.4%
The 2000 Census indicates that the median household income for the town is $63,657,
well above the state average of $42,090. The educational level of residents age 25 years
and over in Foster is above the state levels: 88% have a high school degree or higher;
27% have a bachelor’s degree or higher; 6.5% have a graduate degree or higher. In
Rhode Island 78% have a high school degree and 25.6% have a bachelor’s degree.
Unemployment is similar to the state average while the poverty rate is significantly
lower. 3.9% of the Foster population (3.6% RI) is unemployed and 1.5% of families
(8.9% RI) live in poverty.
According to the 2000 Census, 9,948 people reside in Glocester and the median age of
the population is 38.2 years old. In 2000, 78.5% or 7,771 persons residing in Glocester
were 16 years of age or older; 915 (9.2%) were 65 and over.
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Population
9,948
White
9,797
Hispanic or Latino
65
Black or African American
34
Asian
24
American Indian and Alaskan Native
15
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
0
Some Other Race
10
Two or More Races
68
98.5%
0.7%
0.3%
0.2%
0.2%
none
0.1%
0.7%
The 2000 Census indicates that the median household income for the town is $57,537
well above the state average of $42,090 and slightly lower than nearby Foster. The
educational level of residents age 25 years and over in Glocester is also above the state
levels: 87% have a high school degree or higher; 27% have a bachelor’s degree or higher;
10% have a graduate degree or higher. As previously stated, in Rhode Island 78% have a
high school degree and 25.6% have a bachelor’s degree. Unemployment and poverty rate
are lower than state averages. 1.9% of the Glocester population (3.6% RI) is unemployed
and 3.4% of families in Glocester (8.9% RI) live in poverty.
Education: The Foster School District (elementary) services 369 students and employs
18 teachers and the Glocester School District (elementary) services 793 students and
employs 49 teachers. The Foster-Glocester School District (middle and high school)
services 1693 students and employs 126 students. According to the 2004 assessment
results provided by Information Works!, there are five public schools in the districts. The
SALT survey states that none of the students in Foster-Glocester receive ESL or bilingual
education. The 2000 Census indicates that 97.8% of the Foster and Glocester population
was born in the Rhode Island; and 4% speak another language at home other than
English. According to the Information Works! School Year 2003-2004, 12% of the
Foster-Glocester student population (middle and high school) receives special education
services; 20% of Glocester and 14% of Foster elementary school students receive special
education services. 9% of the student population in Foster-Glocester, 12% of the
Glocester and 14% of Foster student body are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
The areas of mathematics, reading, and writing are tested annually by the RI Department
of Education. In 2003-2004, students in Foster-Glocester district were above the
statistical norm for all of the scores in the elementary, middle, and high school (except
Glocester elementary mathematics: problem solving). The mean SAT scores for FosterGlocester (1036) are higher than the state average (990). According to the RI Department
of Education, all schools are designated “high performing.”
There is a rate of approximately 22 suspensions per 100 students enrolled in FosterGlocester (middle and high school) and the drop out rate is 9% (17% RI). The graduation
rate in Foster-Glocester is 91%, again well above the state average of 83%. The middle
and high school students are primarily White, constituting 99% of the population. The
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stability index for this district is 64% (86% RI). The mobility index is lower than the RI
average (5% Foster-Glocester versus 17% RI). The statistics evident in this survey imply
that Foster-Glocester students live in a mobile community, are not exposed to a diverse
population, and score well above the state average academically in all areas at the
elementary and secondary levels.
Youth Substance Abuse Data Nationally, marijuana is the most commonly used illegal
drug, with a rate of 6.2% (14.6 million) in 2003. Of the 14.8% of Rhode Island middle
school students who tried marijuana in 2001, 1.8% tried it 8 years or younger; 2.3% tried
it at 9 or 10 tens years old; 4.9% first use was at the age of 11 or 12; 5.3% first time use
was at age 13 (2001 Rhode Island Youth Tobacco Survey). According to same survey of
middle school students, 8.5% stated that in the last 30 days they had used an illicit drug,
other than marijuana, for the feeling it caused or to get high.
The annually administered SALT survey reports rates of substance use and attitudes
towards use. According to the 2004-2005 SALT survey of health risk practices of
students in, 96% of Foster elementary school students had not smoked a cigarette in the
last month, and 89% had not consumed an alcoholic drink in the past 30 days. 98% of
Glocester elementary school students had not smoked a cigarette in the last month, and
90% had not consumed an alcoholic drink in the past 30 days.
Responses to questions by middle school students, regarding health risk practices
illustrate a wider range of experimentation and occasional use of alcohol, cigarettes,
tobacco and illicit drugs. An overwhelming majority of middle school students still
report “none” at a rate slightly higher than their RI peers when questioned about
cigarettes (94%), chewing tobacco (96%), illegal drugs (93%) and alcohol (87%). The
Rhode Island state averages for these are 91%, 94%, 90%, and 79% respectively.
As expected, reported use increases as youth get older and more closely approximates
RI’s overall rates. 96% of Foster-Glocester sixth graders (96% RI) in 2004-2005 had not
smoked a cigarette in the last month, compared to 85% of seventh (92% RI) and 78% of
eighth graders (87% RI). According to the 2004-2005 SALT survey between the sixth
and seventh grade, there is a 21% difference in the percentage of students consuming
alcohol: from 9% of sixth graders to 30% of seventh graders. (There was a 13%
difference in 2003-2004). Foster-Glocester seventh grade students score below the state
average of 19% for alcohol use, but eighth graders score similar to the state average of
29%.
A concern with the middle school use is the percentage of seventh and eighth graders
who use alcohol and other drugs more than 10 times a month. Foster-Glocester seventh
graders smoke cigarettes more than 10 times a month (9% versus 3% RI); use chewing
tobacco more than 20 times a month (8% versus 2% RI); use illegal drugs more than 10
times a month (10% versus 3% RI); consume alcohol more than 20 times a month (9%
versus 3% RI). Thirteen percent(13%) of Foster-Glocester eighth graders smoke
cigarettes more than 10 times a month (versus 6% RI); 9% use chewing tobacco more
8
than 20 times a month (versus 4% RI); 12% use illegal drugs more than 10 times a month
(versus 6% RI); and 11% consume alcohol more than 20 times a month (versus 5% RI).
Among high school students grades 9-12, Foster-Glocester students report higher levels
of use, when compared to the state average, for all four types of substances tracked by
the 2004-2005 SALT survey. In Foster-Glocester there are higher use levels for cigarettes
(30% versus 22% RI); chewing tobacco (22% versus 13% RI); illegal drugs (38% versus
27% RI); alcohol (52% versus 43% RI). Overall use levels were lower only for chewing
tobacco (10% versus 12% RI). Regular use level by Foster-Glocester high school
students is equal to the state averages for cigarettes at 10%; illegal drugs at 12%; alcohol
at 8%.
Overall use of illegal drugs and alcohol in Foster-Glocester has been generally
unchanged since 1997-1998; except chewing tobacco which is on the rise. According to
SALT, 37% of Foster-Glocester high school students reported using illegal drugs in
1997-1998; this slightly decreased to 39% in 2003-2004 and to 38% in 2004-2005. This
trend is also evident in alcohol use rates as 55% of high school students report using
alcohol in the prior month in 1997-1998; 48% stated this in 2002-2003; and 52% in 20032004. By comparison, in 1997-1998 14% of Foster-Glocester high school students
reported using chewing tobacco (3% more than 20 times a month). This increased to
25% in 2003-2004 (15% more than 20 times) and 22% in 2004-2005 (13% more than 20
times).
According to SALT, the largest increase in use by students is between sixth and seventh
grade. There is an 11% increase in use of cigarettes when Foster-Glocester youth
transition from sixth to seventh grade; a 10% increase in chewing tobacco use; a 12% in
illegal drug use; and a 21% increase in the amount of youth consuming alcohol.
According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health, youth who felt it was easy to
obtain alcohol and other drugs were more likely to use drugs in the past month. Students
within the focus groups stated that it was relatively easy to obtain alcohol and other drugs
in the community. According to the 2001 Rhode Island Youth Tobacco Survey of middle
school students, 31.1% said it was “probably impossible”; 20.6% said it would be “very
difficult”; 15.4% said it would be “fairly difficult”; 19.2% felt it was “fairly easy.” As
stated by key informants and focus groups, marijuana is easier to obtain than alcohol or
cigarettes.
According to SALT, Foster-Glocester middle and high school students’ of reports of
being offered drugs at school were significantly higher than RI secondary school students
overall. According to the 2004-2005 SALT survey, 19% of Foster-Glocester middle
school students report that they have been offered drugs at school (11% RI), while 41%
of Foster-Glocester (31% Rhode Island) high school students reported that someone has
offered drugs to them on school premises. 10% of middle school students state that they
have experienced actual violence at school (8% RI) and 17% of high school students
(10% RI) report similar experiences. The fear of being hurt in school is higher in the
high school than in the middle school and also higher than the RI average.
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Youth Attitudes Regarding Risks Associated with Substance Abuse In the FosterGlocester, middle school students indicate a strong degree of perceived peer disapproval
of alcohol and marijuana use and trying cocaine. According to SALT, 60% (56% RI) of
Foster-Glocester middle school students believed their friends would disapprove of them
having 5 or more drinks once or twice on the weekends; 63% (57% RI) would disapprove
of their regular use of marijuana, and 65% (62%) would disapprove of using cocaine or
crack once or twice. Foster-Glocester middle school youth have a higher disapproval
rating for alcohol and other drug use than RI youth overall.
The percentage of peer disapproval declines significantly by the time Foster-Glocester
youth enter high school for marijuana and alcohol but the high percentage of disapproval
increases for crack/cocaine. The perception of peer disapproval of regular alcohol and
marijuana use is lower than their RI counterparts. For the high school respondents of
SALT, only 33% of the students expected their friends to disapprove of their use of
alcohol once or twice each weekend (39% RI), and 39% of Foster-Glocester high school
students would disapprove of their close friends’ regular use of marijuana (45% RI). A
lower number of Foster-Glocester high school students (61%) would disapprove of
cocaine or crack use of once or twice (66% RI) than their peers statewide.
In terms of personal views of risks regarding substance abuse, a significant percentage of
the middle and high school students reported believing there to be no risk to: 1) having 5
or more alcoholic drinks once or twice on the weekend (12%, 20%); 2) smoking one or
more packs of cigarettes a day (8%, 13%); 3) smoking marijuana regularly (8%, 22%);
and 4) trying cocaine or crack once or twice (8%, 13%). The greatest disparity is in the
attitude change between middle and high school regarding smoking marijuana regularly
and binge drinking. The belief that smoking marijuana was of great risk dropped by 28%
between middle and high school, from 68% of middle school students to 40% of high
school students. The perceived risk of consuming five or more alcoholic drinks
decreased by 17% from 52% of middle school students believing it to be a great risk
versus 35% of high school students.
Foster-Glocester middle and high school students follow the trend of RI students who
view drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks each weekend less of a risk to their health than
smoking marijuana regularly, trying cocaine or crack once or twice, or smoking one or
more packs of cigarettes each day. In a related topic, 76.7% of middle school students
surveyed felt their parents “have made it clear that they expect me not to use alcohol;”
7.3% disagreed; 16% said they don’t know (RI Tobacco Survey 2001). Foster-Glocester
middle school students view smoking marijuana regularly, using cocaine or crack once or
twice and binge drinking (There is no similar RI data for cigarettes.) with greater
disapproval ratings than the state average but high school students have lower
disapproval ratings than the RI average. Overall the health curriculum and community
have delivered some strong messages to youth about the dangers of tobacco and cocaine
use, but there needs to be a significant improvement in and frequency of a non-use
message in other areas because of the norming of marijuana and alcohol use among teens.
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On another question on the SALT, 7% (10% RI) of Foster-Glocester middle school
students indicated they felt pressured by friends to smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal
drugs. 19% of Foster-Glocester high school students also felt pressured in this manner
(21% RI).
Perception of School Safety According to SALT, Foster-Glocester youth overall
experience their secondary schools as slightly safer compared to RI youth overall. 17%
of the high school students have had an “experience of actual violence at school” (10%
RI).
Unsupervised Time at Home According to SALT, over 24% of the Foster-Glocester
middle school students are left home alone for three or more days for less than 3 hours,
while 25% of this student population is left home alone for three or more days for more
than three hours. The percentage of students who are home alone for more than three
hours a day for three plus days increases in high school; 21% of students are left home
alone for 3 or more days for less than three hours, and 39% are left home alone for three
or more days for more than 3 hours. There is a significant amount of research that
indicates that the hours immediately after school pose the greatest risk for children
engaging in destructive behavior.
Juvenile Detention Data On an annual basis, all police departments provides data to the
RI Juvenile Justice Commission on juvenile detentions and their disposition. In Foster in
2004, there were a reported 12 juvenile detentions: 6 (50%) were Various Disorderly
Behaviors; 2 (16.7%) were Status; 2 (16.7%) were Motor Vehicle Offenses; 1 (8.3%) was
a Larceny offense; 1 (8.3%) were Assault Offenses. In Glocester in 2004, there were a
reported 60 juvenile detentions, 80% more than in Foster though the population is only
twice that of Foster. Fifteen (25%) were Drug Offenses; 13 (21.7%) were Various
Disorderly Behaviors; 12 (20%) were Motor Vehicle Offenses; 10 (16.7%) were Larceny
Offenses; 6 (10%) were Assault Offenses; 3 (5%) were Status; 1 (1.7%) were SexOffenses.
In Foster 33% of the juvenile detentions were between the hours of 2 AM - 6 AM, much
later than in most other RI communities. Youth were most likely to commit an offense in
April (41.7%). 92% of the offenders were male and 100% were White. The majority (8)
of juvenile offenders were released to the Juvenile Hearing Board (67%). 2 (17%) of
youth offenders were released to Other; 1 (8%) to the RI Training School for Youth; 1
(8%) were released to parent. In Glocester 41.7% of the juvenile detentions were between
the hours of 6 PM - 9 PM. Youth were most likely to commit an offense in the warmer
months: May (10%); June (16.7%); July (10%); August (10%); September (10%);
October (13.3%); November (11.7%). 93% of the offenders were male and 92% were
White. The majority of juvenile offenders were released to their parents (58%). 20 (33%)
of youth offenders were released to the Juvenile Hearing Board; 2 (3%) were released to
“Other”; 2 (3%) to DCYF; and 1 (2%) to the RI Training School for Youth. Data
therefore indicates that Foster police are more likely to utilize the Juvenile Hearing Board
while Glocester police are more likely to refer youth to their parents.
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Compliance Checks As reported by the local police departments, there are 7
establishments permitted to sell alcohol in Foster and 13 in Glocester. Each year the
police are mandated to conducted surveys of a random sample of establishments in their
towns. Since 2000, 1-2 surveys have been completed in Foster and 1-5 have been
completed in Glocester yearly. In 2004, half of those surveyed were found to sell alcohol
to minors. This percentage has remained fairly consistent over the last 4 years.
HEALTH ISSUES INDIRECTLY RELATED TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Parental Involvement in School The SALT survey indicates the level of FosterGlocester parental involvement in the schools and their degree of satisfaction with their
schools is relatively high. Parental attitudes toward their child’s school and its
involvement with their child were generally positive. Most parents strongly agreed or
agreed that the school has an active parent organization and that the community supports
the school. Unlike many other communities there is not a significant difference in
perception of school safety by grade level: 96% of Foster and 97% of Glocester
elementary school parents, 98% of middle school and 92% of high school parents report
that “this school is a safe place.” In general, the view of Foster-Glocester parents
related to their children’s elementary, middle and high school has remained the same
since 1997-1998.
Elementary students responding to the SALT survey indicate a high level of parental
involvement in their basic school activities. This is predictably greater than the middle
school rates. A large decrease is observed in high school students, as 47% of students
report receiving help with homework “sometimes” or “often” from their parents, and
19% report periodic parental monitoring regarding the completion of their homework.
Perception of School Success In student reports of perceived self, parent and teacher
academic expectations, there is a discrepancy between those students receiving free or
reduced lunch and those whose economic status allows them to afford full paid lunch
beginning in middle school. Free and reduced lunch students (7% of the district’s student
population) have lower scores than full paid lunch students in all categories except one
(Teachers’ Academic Expectations: “Do your teachers think that you will do better in
school next year?”). According to SALT, expectations of school success for students
receiving free or reduced lunch are lower than students who fully pay for lunch. None of
the Foster and only 4% of Glocester elementary school students receiving free or reduced
lunch responded “probably won’t” when asked whether they will do better next year;
None of the Foster and 4% of the Glocester elementary school students responded
“probably won’t” when asked if they will finish high school, and 9% of Foster and 11%
of Glocester elementary school students responded “probably won’t” when asked if they
will go onto college. The averages for full paid lunch students for Foster and Glocester
are 6% and 5%; 6% and 4%; 10% and 3% respectively.
This difference is more significant as children reach the middle school level. 45% (free
or reduced) versus 70% (full paid) of Foster-Glocester middle school students felt that
they would definitely/ probably will make the honor roll next year. 78% (free or
reduced) versus 90% (full paid) felt that they “probably will” graduate from high school;
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and 69% (free or reduced) versus 86% (full paid) answered “probably will” in regard to
whether they think they will go to college. Middle school students receiving free or
reduced lunch also perceive that their parents and teachers have lower expectations in
comparison with those receiving full paid students. At the high school level, 54% of
Foster-Glocester students (free or reduced) believe they will go to college compared to
the 78% (fully paid) students. 28% of high school students (free or reduced) believe that
their parents’ think they “probably won’t” make the honor roll next year, compared to
16% (fully paid) high school students. It appears that lower-income Foster-Glocester
students have lower expectations of themselves and feel that teachers and parents do not
expect them to meet academic milestones (honor roll, high school/college graduation) to
the same degree as full paid lunch students.
School Climate The reports of student discipline practices on the SALT survey are
divided into those having free or reduced lunch and those having to fully pay for lunch.
There appears to be a correlation between economic status in Foster-Glocester and
interventions for behavioral problems. Across the board, the statistics regarding
disciplinary action appear to start relatively low and increase with age. During the school
year in the elementary grades, 20% of Foster and 16% of Glocester free or reduced lunch
versus 22% of Foster and 18% of Glocester fully paid students are sent to the principal;
8% of Foster and 2% of Glocester (free or reduced) versus 2% of Foster and 1% of
Glocester (full paid) served in-school suspensions; 8% of Foster and 2% of Glocester
(free or reduced) versus 4% of Foster and 1% of Glocester (full paid) served out-ofschool suspensions.
At the middle school the differences were more distinct. 50% Foster-Glocester free or
reduced lunch students versus 33% of fully paid students are sent to the principal; 23% of
Foster-Glocester (free or reduced) versus 5% (fully paid) served in-school suspensions;
27% (free or reduced) versus 9% (fully paid) served out-of-school suspensions. At the
high school level, the differences were very significant: 57% (free or reduced) versus
32% (full paid lunch) were sent to the principal; 48% (free or reduced) versus 20% (full
paid) served in-school suspension; 46% (free or reduced) versus 17% (full paid) served
out-of-school suspension.
High stress is a risk factor for substance use. In responses from middle and high school
students regarding daily stresses in the SALT survey, the most common issues were
related directly to issues regarding teachers expecting too much, trying to get good
grades, having too much homework, having problems with their physical appearance, and
being teased or bothered by other students. The top stressors in high school related to
being teased or bothered by other students, being bothered by physical appearance (acne,
weight, height), and having too much homework.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
The research of David Hawkins and Richard Catalano and others (1992) has identified a
number of protective and risk factors for any alcohol and other drug abuse that may be
present within a given community. Protective factors are those that enhance the well-
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being of individuals, families, and communities and serve to protect them from engaging
in substance abuse. Risk factors, on the other hand, are shown to increase the likelihood
of substance abuse and other problem behaviors.
According to the residents of Foster-Glocester, there are many protective factors for
people living in their community regarding substance abuse that in many cases are also
consistent with Hawkins’ research:
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Family
 Many residents who can afford to pay for private care to address health care
issues
 Family-oriented community
 Families “rally when people need help”
 Good place to raise a family – especially elementary school age or younger
 Families are “fiercely participatory” in the community
Schools/Peers
 Programs: Student Council, French Club, Mentoring Program, Field Work
 Prevention Activities: Youth2Youth, Students Against Destructive DecisionMaking
 Resources: Special Ed. Department, Student Assistance Counselor, school
psychologist; social worker, SOS (program with Sojourner House to improve
awareness of domestic violence)
 Highly rated schools
 The Ponaganset Post – informative articles for youth such as the November 16,
2004 editorial on “Truancy Court? Here? It’s No Joke!”
 Outdoor cross country track is very popular
 DARE program at school: a 10-week program with fifth grade
 Low dropout rate (9% versus 17% RI)
 Student Assistance Counselor meet with youth who are new to the community
 Alternative courses such as auto/woodworking program helps some adolescents
stay in school
 Teachers are youth oriented and really care about youth
Community
 Low crime rate
 Strong community pride: Old Home Days (Foster) and Heritage Day (Glocester)
 Citizens and Students Together (CAST) provides and excellent website,
prevention programs and resources for community members
 Active clergy with youth; churches also assist many community members (Moms
and Tots program)
 Close enough to Providence/Greenville to get anything one wants; can visit cities
 Tri Town Community Action Program provides a wide variety of services
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Union Church in Glocester allows youth to lead a service once a month
Active senior association: speakers from Department of Elderly Affairs (power of
attorney, living will); penny social; pot luck dinners
Active arts community: Foster Foundation for the Arts; Teen Jam; Christmas in
the Valley
Uncrowded and quiet; overall high quality of life
Public transportation in Glocester
Summer recreation in Glocester: 2 fresh water beaches
Resources in Foster: Human Services Director, summer recreation program,
scouting groups various sports
CAST provides newsletter; assists with driving older seniors; works with high
school, hosts Walkathon
Town organizes fundraisers to help people in need (e.g. if house burns down)
Community working on building a skate park for youth
Town van takes seniors to doctors, shopping
Community planning a senior center (computer room, computer room)
Recreational Center at beach – hires adolescents as lifeguards
Local community promotes healthy gatherings at a local church - Peeptoad Coffee
House
Meal site available for senior citizens; Meals on Wheels program for homebound
seniors
Active Juvenile Hearing Board often ensures that youth receive counseling or do
community service
Comprehensive Community Action Program provides services
Truancy Court intervenes with youth in crisis early (truancy increasing)
Boy Scouts, theater program, summer programs at YMCA
Many residents volunteer (Fire Department, Parent-Teachers Group help building
playgrounds)
According to the residents of Foster-Glocester, several factors serve as risk factors for
people living in their town regarding substance abuse. They are congruent with Hawkins
et al. research and include the following:
RISK FACTORS
Family
 Large elderly population being driven out by high property taxes
 Isolation of youth after-school
 When adolescents enter high school, “there is little to do”
 Community norm of “youth will drink anyway”
 Youth obtain alcohol and other drugs from older siblings, older friends and family
 Lack of programs for older adolescents
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School/Peers
 Occasional use of alcohol and other drugs in school; middle school students for
the first time are being caught smoking cigarettes and marijuana
 According to SALT survey and key informants, half of the high school student
body is using/abusing alcohol and/or other drugs
 School – “great source for distribution” of alcohol and other drugs
 Students at the high school recently caught using cocaine at school
Community
 Concern about loss of open space
 Large rural area - transportation is needed to get to places
 Isolated senior citizens
 Lack of diversity in community
 Decrease in Foster Police Force (from 6 to 4) to cover 52 square miles
 Difficult to receive mental health/substance abuse assistance in Foster-Glocester.
Not many outpatient providers in Foster-Glocester (Residents must go to other
towns for care)
 Difficult to enforce laws; everyone knows one another so police would be
punishing someone they know
 Youth use alcohol and other drugs in their homes and in the woods
 Foster does not have access to public transportation
 Insufficient funding needed for recreational programming
 Use of other drugs: cocaine, ecstasy, along with prescription medications that are
easily accessible (Adderall, Vicodin, OxyContin)
 Roads need improvement
 Youth need resource they know and trust to go to What about SAC?
 Need to address other issues such as the increase in amount of pregnancies at high
school)
 Many bars in area
 High number of DWIs: In the past year approximately 60 adult DWIs and 10
juvenile DWIs in Glocester
 Need for a YMCA in area
 No drop-in zone/youth center; not enough activities at night
 Some residents of the two towns feel the community is becoming too crowded
 High levels of alcohol and other drug use by youth reported on SALT survey
DISCUSSION
Family Children’s earliest interactions occur within the family and can be positive or
negative. For this reason, factors that affect early development in the family are probably
the most crucial. Children are more likely to experience risk when there is: a lack of
mutual attachment and nurturing by parents and caregivers; ineffective parenting; a
chaotic home environment; lack of a significant relationship with a caring adult; and a
caregiver who abuses substances, suffers from mental illness, or engages in criminal
behavior. These experiences, especially the abuse of alcohol and other drugs by parents
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and caregivers, can impede bonding to the family and threaten feelings of security that
children need for healthy development. On the other hand, families can serve a
protective function when there is: a strong bond between children and their families;
parental involvement in a child’s life; supportive parenting that meets financial,
emotional, cognitive, and social needs; and clear limits and consistent enforcement of
discipline (National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Preventing Drug Use among Children and
Adolescents,” October, 2003).
Key informants have noted that, as in many Rhode Island communities, some parents in
Foster-Glocester are vague, unclear or permissive when it comes to their high school age
children’s use of alcohol and/or marijuana. Parents in the community seem to send
mixed messages to children regarding alcohol and other drugs. Both parents and
students in the community complain that, while parents promote a message of non-use of
alcohol and other drugs to children, some behave in a manner that condones substance
abuse. As mentioned by a key informant “alcohol (use) is condoned” by the community.
Some parents tell their children that they don’t want them to use, but if they are going to,
they should use at home. As stated by a key informant, “They don’t realize that with that
kind of message, youth will drink anywhere.” As in all RI communities, some parents
leave an unsupervised home for youth to congregate, providing an opportunity for
alcohol and other drug use. Conversely, many adults in the Foster-Glocester community
do provide supervised activities, do not condone substance abuse, and do hold their
children accountable for their actions. It is crucial that families address the issue of
alcohol and other drugs with their children early on. Unfortunately, key informants and
the SALT data indicate that fewer than 11% of all middle and high school parents attend
a workshop at their child’s school.
Both Foster’s and Glocester’s median annual income is well above the state average.
Many residents’ income affords them a peaceful, safe, attractive place to live. This is a
strong protective factor the community. For the part of the community that is affluent,
when problems arise with adolescents or adults, money can assist with attaining
appropriate assistance or treatment. Unfortunately this affluence can also be a risk factor.
In a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (2003), teenagers
said that marijuana is easier to buy than cigarettes or beer. This was also substantiated by
the focus groups. Children who are frequently bored, get $25 or more a week in spending
money or are under stress are more likely to smoke, drink, or use illegal substances,
according to the survey. Some youth within the Foster-Glocester community are
addressing the Glocester Business Association in attempt to stop businesses from selling
drug paraphernalia to residents. This is legal under current law.
The Fostering Arts organization is an asset for families in the community. Its goal is to
create opportunities to share creative experiences, celebrate local cultural resources and
bring the arts from diverse and distant cultures to rural communities. Foster Arts makes
arts more accessible to people through educational and social programs including visual
art, music dance, music, dance, theater, folk art, and healing arts. Some events are
Community Country Dance, Swamp Meadow Community Theater, Artist Open Studios,
and the Rhode Island Folk Festival.
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In Foster-Glocester, use of alcohol and marijuana begins to significantly increase in the
middle school. Only 3% of Foster and 1% of Glocester fifth graders in 2004-2005 report
use of alcohol compared to 38% of Foster-Glocester eighth graders. 3% of FosterGlocester sixth graders report use of illegal drugs compared to 25% of eighth graders.
Recent findings from a longitudinal study that followed more than 700 individuals from
early childhood to their late twenties confirmed that alcohol and other drug use before the
age of 14 is a significant factor in increasing the likelihood of a psychiatric disorder later
in life (Brook & Brook, 2003). Earlier marijuana use showed substantial effects on major
depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, and substance use disorders, 7%, 23%, and 40
% more likely. In a study of more than 300 pairs of same-sex twins, NIDA-supported
investigators found that smoking marijuana before the age of 17 is linked to a greater
likelihood of proceeding to serious problems with marijuana or other drugs.
School Foster-Glocester’s schools in 2004-2005 scored higher or equal to the state
averages in all the performance standardized testing in all the categories in the
elementary, middle and high schools except for one (Glocester Mathematics: Problem
Solving).
Foster-Glocester students report on their perception of parental involvement in their
education in the SALT survey. Overall Foster-Glocester’s rates are comparable to the
state average. As with most communities, the rate of parent involvement reported by
students decreases from elementary to high school.
Prevention programming is very important for the well being of adolescents growing into
healthy adults. Early alcohol use increases the likelihood of developing alcohol abuse or
dependence at a later age, according to an analysis of data from the National Survey on
Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In 2003, nearly three-quarters (74%) of adults aged 21
or older reported that they had started using alcohol before the legal drinking age of 21.
Those who first used alcohol before the age of 15 were four times as likely to meet the
criteria for past year alcohol abuse or dependence than those who started using alcohol at
or before age 18 (16% vs. 4%) and more than five times as likely than those who began
using at or after age 21 (16% vs. 3%) (Grant, BF, & Dawson, DA., Journal of Substance
Abuse 9:103-110). These findings support previous research indicating that delaying the
onset of alcohol use may prevent alcohol abuse or dependence in adulthood. It is for this
reason that prevention efforts at the middle school level are encouraged, in particular
model programs with proven outcomes.
Within the Foster-Glocester schools, there are a number of programs and resources that
benefit the student population. Youth enjoy participating in Teen Spirit during the
summer and Youth2Youth. The Student Council, French Club, Mentoring Program and
Field Work were also mentioned as activities popular with students. The Mentoring
Program and Field Work involve high school students going to the middle school to
work/help. The middle and high school have a single Student Assistance Counselor who
assists students. The high school counselor works with the Alternative Learning Program
(youth with difficulty in traditional classroom, often lower income, sometimes IEP,
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mostly “middle of the road” youth) to promote non-destructive decisions and empower
them to be involved in prevention campaigns. The Student Assistance Counselor
spends most of his time in individual counseling, both self-referred and adult-referred.
Youth-focused drug curricula include Project Northland and the NICoTeen program
targeting middle school students, grades 6-8. Project Northland is offered completely in
grade 6, not at all in grade 7, and again partially in grade 8. After grade 9 there are no
programs integrated into the curriculum.
Middle and high school youth discussed issues surrounding alcohol and other drugs in
focus groups conducted at their schools. Middle and high school youth did not have a
clear understanding of the school policy regarding substance abuse. Some thought youth
would be arrested if they caught with alcohol outside the school. Youth state that if
youth are caught drinking on a school trip (like band or chorus), they are not sent home
(despite the threats given before the trip that such a punishment would occur).
Sometimes these students are given a Saturday detention. Youth norms strongly support
alcohol use. Some youth state they have lost friends because they don’t drink. Water
bottles are no longer allowed in the middle school as one youth brought beer to school in
one. Drinking mainly happens in small gatherings, not large house parties. Sometimes
parents are aware of drinking. Middle school youth did not like the fact that some people
(especially teens) drive too fast and the fact the fact that drunk driving seems prevalent
within the community among youth and adults. Marijuana is for the most part used
outside of the school in the woods. Students point to the fact that middle school youth
want to hang out with the high school students and this is sometimes how they begin their
use. Cocaine appears to be used by a small amount of youth. The students feel that, if
the district eliminates JV sports there will truly be “nothing to do” for many youth.
Youth wanted a teen center/YMCA (closest one is in Smithfield) that is more available to
youth. They also reported a need for sidewalks on Snake Hill Road. A general place to
“hang out” is also needed: perhaps with a café, fireplace, couches, poetry contests and
other activities. Youth do report that a skate park is currently being built. Youth report
that they go to Smithfield, Providence and Warwick for shopping, movies and other
entertainment.
The youth report that their parents expect them to get good grades, “be smart.” Youth
feel that teachers are friendly and expect them to perform “on level.” Success defined by
youth was “to be happy.” They feel parents have a “kids will be kids” attitude toward
alcohol but feel parents would be surprised if they knew of the number of students who
drink. Youth claim they do not pay attention during health class. They say that they
learn the same things every year and therefore stop paying attention. During prom
season, there was an anti-substance abuse assembly, but no post-prom alternative is
provided. A Teen Hotline was suggested as a needed addition to the community. Youth
were concerned with guns being left unlocked, lack of bus monitors on buses with middle
and high school students, suicide attempts by their friends, and “cutting” by their peers.
Community Because Foster and Glocester are peaceful communities located in close
proximity to both Providence and Boston, real estate in the area is highly valued. The
number of family households in Foster has slightly increased; there were 1,477 families
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during the 1990 Census and 1,531 families as stated by the 2000 Census. The increase in
household income within the towns mirror the Rhode Island average: households making
$75,000 to $99,999 increased by 197% (107.7% RI); households making $100,000 $149,000 have increased by 671% (205.9% RI). Examples of those income brackets that
decreased significantly from 1990 to 2000 are: those households making less than
$10,000 decreased by 54%; households between $25,000 and $34,999 decreased by 54%.
This data indicates a trend towards greater affluence of residents of the town. Foster is
the home of FosteringArts.org, an organization that nurtures and strengthens the
communities of northwestern Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut by offering
opportunities for sharing creative experiences and celebrating our cultural resources. The
organization supports educational and social programs involving the arts including visual
art, music, dance, theater, folk art, and healing arts. There is an annual Folk Festival
within the town. The Foster Country Club offers the community recreation and it has
many golf events during the year.
In Glocester the number of family households has slightly increased; there were 3,138
during the 1990 Census and 3,555 families as stated by the 2000 Census. The increase in
household income within the town mirrors the Rhode Island average: households making
$75,000 to $99,999 increased by 154% (107.7% RI); households making $100,000 $149,000 have increased by 368% (205.9% RI). Examples of those income brackets that
decreased significantly from 1990 to 2000 are: those households making less than
$10,000 decreased by 61%; households between $25,000 and $34,999 decreased by 59%.
This data indicates a trend towards greater affluence of some residents of the town.
Many events happen in Glocester such as house and garden tours; fireworks and the
Ancients and Horribles Parade in July; Heritage Day Crafts and Antiques Fairs; the
Peddlars Faire and GBA Business Expo in November; and the Candlight Shopping and
Festival of Lights and the “Christmas in the Country” sponsored by the Glocester
Business Association.
The Towns of Foster and Glocester have an effective Juvenile Hearing Board. In 2004,
62 cases were heard; 55 were male and 46 (75%) were between the ages of 15 – 18. The
type of offenses varied: simple assault (1); possession of a weapon (2); malicious damage
(2); larceny/possession stolen goods (2); disorderly conduct (11); alcohol and drug
offenses (18); other (24); status (2). The sanctions given to the juveniles include:
community service (43); curfews (1); alcohol/drug testing (12); essays (13); letter of
apology (31); report from school (62); restitution (3). “Other” offenses were arson (2);
breaking and entering (4); vandalism (5); driving violations (12); violation of town
ordinance (1). The sanctions for these detentions were: anger management workshop (1);
Youth Responsibility Program (7); Project Peer (3); SCORE (13); RYDD (Reducing
Youthful Dangerous Driving) (15). The police provide great assistance to the Juvenile
Hearing Boards and the Explorers Program open to all teens in the community.
Northwest Community Health Care offers assistance to anyone who needs primary
medical care, dental care, lab services, radiology services, mental health and substance
abuse counseling or case management services. Northwest Health Center accepts most
health insurance and also has a sliding-scale fee that is based on income and family size.
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Many community residents are referred to the Community Health Care Center for
substance abuse services.
The Foster and Glocester Police Departments are very involved in the community.
Although a new curriculum could be introduced, DARE is provided to youth at grades K5. The police officers also bring youth on field trips to the Pawtucket Red Sox and
Providence Bruins and assist with bike safety education. The Foster and Glocester police
department is instrumental in referring youth to the Juvenile Hearing Board. Tri-Town
Community Action program and the Truancy Court receive referrals through this
program. There appears to be some disagreement in the towns about the role of the
police within the school district as School Resource Officers are not desired by some
residents. Police are aware that alcohol and other drug use occur in the community: in
the woods, at schools, at homes, and in cars. According to key informants, use of alcohol
and other drugs is by far the primary reason for youth to enter the juvenile justice system
in some form.
Citizens and Students Together (CAST), the Foster-Glocester substance prevention task
force, produces a community health newsletter, which goes to every home, physicians’
offices and local outlets. This publication provides health information to the general
population and to those who may not directly participate in other CAST-sponsored
programs. CAST offers an excellent website which enhances taskforce capacity to
provide access to resources, solicit community feedback and expedite project evaluation.
CAST places ads/articles in local papers relating to ATOD prevention such as
Developing a Family Policy on ATOD use and participating in Family Dinners. (The
community is involved by submitting dinner recipes) In addition, CAST places articles in
local papers in support of a variety of national awareness days. In this regard, the
membership strives to raise awareness on other social ills related to ATOD use and
abuse. Some of these include: Alcohol Red Ribbon Awareness Campaign, Purple Ribbon
Violence Prevention Awareness Day in October, the Great American Smokeout in
November, World AIDS Day in December, and Alcohol Awareness in April.
In addition, CAST has formed partnerships with local community groups to raise
awareness and influence community norms in the prevention of ATOD use and abuse.
For example, Partners N Prevention is a project that partners with the groups like Foster
and Glocester Recreation, the four Foster and Glocester libraries, Boy Scouts, Girl
Scouts, the Farmers’ Collaborative, Swamp Meadow Theater, Fostering Arts, all Foster
and Glocester schools, (elementary-high school) Parent Teacher Organizations, and other
groups to offer skill building, mentoring and awareness raising programs, for youth. The
membership also partners with local senior groups in offering networking experiences to
reduce isolation of the senior citizens in the community. These efforts also raise
awareness about alcohol and other drugs, including prescription medication misuse and
abuse. This elderly initiative called Connections also includes a special “Connections
Page” in the community newsletter.
The towns host a wide variety of community events like the popular Heritage Day in
Glocester and Old Home Days in Foster. Sponsored by the Glocester Heritage Society,
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Heritage Day takes place in the village of Chepachet. The event actually began in 1907
as Old Home Day at the Freewill Baptist Church. Though many changes have taken place
over the years, the event is still celebrated in August with entertainment and a multitude
of vendors selling antiques, arts and crafts, collectibles and food. The Town of Foster
held its first Old Home Days in the summer of 1904 to raise money for the upkeep of the
Town House. The tradition was continued for the next few years with townspeople
gathering one day a year for a big picnic at the town grounds. Then the Foster Center
Baptist Church assumed responsibility for the event until the early 1980s. At that time, a
group formed to organize the celebration of Foster’s 1982 Bicentennial, and it has been
organizing the Old Home Days festival since.
Peeptoad Coffeehouse is committed to bringing the best folk and traditional music to the
area. Its mission is to nurture and strengthen the communities of northwestern Rhode
Island and eastern Connecticut by offering opportunities for sharing creative experiences
and celebrating the area’s cultural resources. The organization supports educational and
social programs involving the arts including visual art, music, dance, theater, folk art, and
healing arts.
The town has many churches and an active religious community according to key
informants. This is another strong protective factor in the community. According to the
National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 79% of youths (19 million) reported
that religious beliefs are a very important part of their lives, and 69% (17 million)
reported that religious beliefs influence how they make decisions. Youths aged 12 to 17
with higher levels of religiosity were less likely to have used cigarettes, alcohol or illicit
drugs in the past month than youths with lower levels of religiosity (National Survey on
Drug Use and Health, January 30, 2004).
As with nearly every community in Rhode Island, the issue of substance abuse among the
retired senior population needs to be addressed by the task force. Interviews with seniors
indicate that CAST is involved with the senior population and has a seat on CAST.
10.4% of Foster and 9.1% of the Glocester (13.6% RI 2003 Estimate) population is over
the age of 65. As indicated in a study by the Woonsocket Substance Abuse Task Force
“Prescriptions for Trouble” (1997), there is a problem with noncompliance.
“Americans over the age of 65 make up 12% of the U.S. population, but they are prescribed
almost 1/3 of all drugs and take 50% of all over the counter (OTC) medications sold in the
country. 40% of senior citizens take at least one drug per day to conduct the essential activities of
daily living. Therefore, the issue of medical compliance is a serious one for the senior citizen
population of the United States. The salience of this fact has been heightened by several studies,
which have shown prescription medication compliance rates among senior citizens to be between
26% and 59%. In addition to communication between physician and patient there is also the issue
of individuals being physically or mentally unable to follow drug regimens in spite of adequate
information and communication. 12% of senior citizens respondents admitted that they have
difficulty keeping their drug schedule. The reasons behind this difficulty could range from
dementia, to poor eyesight, to arthritis, to having an extremely complicated drug regimen.
Regardless, some senior citizens need assistance in keeping up with their medication schedule.”
As in many communities, substance abuse issues are a hidden problem with elderly.
Sometimes it is the elderly person with a substance abuse issue, or possibly their child
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has the problem and so many times this is how their parent starts using substances. Since
these issues are not discussed openly, the new senior center in Glocester will be a place
where these issues can be addressed.
QUALITY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
Foster and Glocester have access to a wide variety of social, behavioral health and health
services. However, many of these are found outside the community. They include:
Churches The town has many churches and an active religious community according to parents
and other key informants. This is a positive influence in the community.
Child Care According to 2005 Kids Count, 46% of eligible Foster-Glocester youth participate
in Head Start (57% RI); 6% of eligible youth participate in Early Head Start (5% RI); 49 children
are receiving child care subsidies; there are 92 licensed school-aged child care slots for eligible
children.
Community Organization/Advocacy Comprehensive Community Action Agency’s
delivery area includes Foster. Some programs and services extend into other communities
including Glocester. CCAP's primary role is to make the entire community more
responsive to the needs and interests of the poor by mobilizing resources and bringing
about greater institutional sensitivity. Tri-Town Community Action Agency located in
Johnston serves the low-income residents of Glocester, but may also serve Foster
residents in some cases. Tri-Town has the following programs in Foster: Adult Tobacco
Treatment Program; Elder Case Management Program; Even Start Family Literacy
Program; GED Preparation; Head Start Program; Juvenile Hearing Board; Literacy
Improvement Program; REACh; Supportive Employment Program; Victims of Crime
Advocacy and a Youth Smoking Cessation Program. In Glocester Tri Town Community
Action Program offers the following programs: Adolescent Self-Sufficiency
Collaborative Program; Adult Tobacco Treatment Program; All Stars Program;
Appliance Management Program; Article 23 Program; Basic Human Needs; Boiler
Repair; Breastfeeding Peer Counseling; Commodities Distribution; Elder Case
Management Program; Emergency Housing Assistance Program; Emergency Shelter;
Even Start Family Literacy Program; Food Baskets; Food Vouchers; Furniture Bank
Referral; GED Preparation; Head Start Program; Health Center; Heating/Fuel Assistance;
Juvenile Hearing Board; Literacy Improvement Program; Mental Health Counseling and
Treatment; New Opportunity Homes; REACh; Safe and Drug Free Schools; Substance
Abuse Counseling/Treatment; Supportive Employment Program; Toy Distribution;
Victims of Crime Advocacy; Weatherization Assistance; Women, Infants and Children
Nutritional Program (WIC); Youth Responsibility; and a Youth Smoking Cessation
Program.
Crisis Intervention/Counseling The Tri Town Community Action Program functions as
a Substance Abuse Outpatient Counseling/Treatment Center. Individual, group, and
family counseling services is provided through this program. Third party insurance is
accepted, including Rite Care and NHPRI. Self-pay and a sliding fee scale is available to
all patients based on income. The Substance Abuse Program is staffed by licensed
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Substance Abuse Counselors and is licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
The Program is JCAHO Accredited. Priority is given to Tri-Town clients.
The Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) provides emergency services:
this program assists families in crisis to reduce the daily stresses associated with child
abuse and neglect. Services include crisis intervention, parenting skill development,
family counseling, home visitation, parent aid services and emergency on-call service 24
hours a day. CCAP also provides discharge planning. Discharge Planning is a program
designed to assist minimum-security inmates in planning for transition back into the
community. Caseworkers help inmates design discharge plans ninety days prior to their
scheduled releases and follow them for sixty days following release. Services include
assessment information and referral groups, workshops and advocacy. In addition CCAP
staff provides parent education groups and supervised child visitation programs.
Education/Literacy/Mentoring The Tri-Town Community Action Program offers jobrelated instruction and career counseling services. The Tri Town Community Action
Program has an Even Start Family Literacy Program. This program is funded by the
State of Rhode Island Department of Education to provide families with children under
the age of 8 with the following services: early childhood education and development;
employment and training; adult basic education (pre-employment/work maturity skills);
GED/ESL/ABE instruction and testing; parent involvement; literacy skills training
(parent education); parent and child activities.
The Comprehensive Community Action Program offers a teen mentoring program.
Research has shown that mentoring has a positive effect on school absence rates, school
attitudes, aggression, drug and alcohol use, respect for adults and improved parental
relationships.
Fostering Arts sponsors a number of seasonal events designed especially for children,
such as "Halloween Ghoulish Graveyard" and storytelling sessions at the Tyler Free
Library.
Employment and Training The two community action agencies offer GED preparation
and testing to eligible individuals. Adult education activities include academic
assessments, group sessions, tutoring, home-based studies and computer assisted
learning.
Family Services CAST (Citizens And Students Together) describes itself as a volunteer
community health coalition that supports programs that will enhance healthy conditions
toward a drug-free community in both Foster and Glocester. Its "Partners In Prevention"
program encompasses plans programs that address the needs of the community, peers,
school and family. The primary goal of CAST is to reduce violence and abuse of alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs by encouraging other organizations to include prevention of
underage smoking and drinking as a formal part of their mission, goals or strategies.
CAST solicits groups willing to become Partners In Prevention and seeks programs that
have some support from other community groups
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Health Care-Mental Health The Northwest Community Health Care Center in the
village of Pascoag (Glocester) provides treatment and counseling services to individuals
and families in need of mental health counseling in individual and group settings. Third
party insurance is accepted and no one is denied services due to inability to pay. The
program is staffed by licensed mental health professionals and is JCAHO Accredited.
Health Care-Physical Northwest Community Health Care offers assistance to anyone
who needs primary medical care, dental care, lab services, radiology services, mental
health and substance abuse counseling or case management services.
Legal Aid Counseling/Services RI Legal Services provides legal service aid to the
financially disadvantaged.
Public Assistance netWORKri is a unique collaboration of employment and training
centers dedicated to address the workforce development needs of job seekers and
employers in RI. Most of these resources are available for free. There is a site in
Woonsocket.
Senior Services A new senior center is being built in Glocester. The Town of Glocester
currently provides the regularly scheduled senior events such as senior bingo, meal sites,
senior card playing and senior exercise classes.
Substance Abuse Treatment Individual, group, and family counseling services are
provided at Tri-Town. Third party insurance is accepted and sliding fee scale is available
to all patients. The sliding scale fee is based on income. The Substance Abuse Program is
staffed by licensed Substance Abuse Counselors and is licensed by the Rhode Island
Department of Health. The Program is JCAHO accredited. Priority is given to Tri-Town
clients. Also at Tri-Town, the “Quit for Life” Program provides a smoking cessation
program for adults who want to quit smoking. Clients enrolled in the Program are
provided with a complete physical assessment through the Agency’s Health Center
physicians, and, if eligible, are referred to the Smoking Cessation Program. Clients
enrolled, are eligible to receive the nicotine patch, Nicorette gum, Wellbutrin, nasal spray
or the inhaler. All clients participating in the clinical aspect of the program must also
participate in counseling.
The Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) in Cranston provides the
following education and prevention programs: “Life Gotten Off Track”; “At Wit’s End
with Your Kids”; anger management classes for teens; Parenting Wisely; “Youth Success
Series.”
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) has identified six categories of
prevention strategies for consideration when planning prevention activities that are
responsive to community needs. The following recommendations are made in this format
for CAST to consider in its future planning.
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Information Dissemination An informational campaign for parents about the laws
related to alcohol and other drug use focusing on parental responsibility and using a legal
expert as a speaker would be a useful activity for CAST to conduct. This educational
campaign could include SALT data presented by a substance abuse prevention expert to
the Town Council or School Committee or a forum of parents and service providers in
the community. Planning this with an active youth group at the Ponaganset High School
would increase attendance, especially if the event were prefaced by several articles in the
local paper. This may help with community buy-in to the substance abuse that exists and
enhance residents’ willingness to financially support any endeavors of the Task Force.
As mentioned by key informants, there is a community spirit within Foster-Glocester. By
incorporating activities that promote awareness around substance abuse and other issues
surrounding healthy living as part of existing town-wide activities and gatherings, the
task force could counter the social norms that promote alcohol and other drug use/abuse.
These events could also be ways to disperse information to the community. The PTO
newsletter and local paper are other methods suggested by key informants to disperse this
type of information to the community.
Education by CAST on all types of drugs and their effects is critical for parents, youth
and the school and local community. Substance abuse in the community is higher than
RI averages. In addition, anecdotal data seems to indicate that there is a wider range of
experimentation by Foster-Glocester youth than in other more populated areas. Parents
need to be aware of the warning signs of their children’s use, and all members of a family
should be informed on the potential health risks that alcohol and other drugs pose for
youth during the vulnerable years of adolescents. Workshops or educational forums for
parents should include information on alcohol and marijuana as well as other illegal and
legal drugs, including inhalants, methamphetamines and OxyContin. It is suggested that
any community forum be planned with youth from the high school. With youth
presenting the information, attendance by parents would be increased, especially if some
of the SALT data was presented in articles in the local paper and the Providence Journal
prior to the event.
Our research indicated that the towns’ and school websites does not mention the task
force. CAST’s website is excellent, and more of the information on it should be available
to the community in these formats. A link to a homepage with meeting times, past
minutes of meeting, members of the task force, educational information on alcohol and
other drugs, warning signs of use/abuse, this needs assessment, and health and
behavioral health resources would be invaluable for the residents of Foster and Glocester
and their school district’s websites. As with many communities, another reason for
having the website is to provide residents, who may be unwilling for some reason to seek
help through the Task Force or a local agency, with information about the location of
available resources.
Prevention Education At present the DARE program is offered in grade 5 and Project
Northland is offered in grade 7 and partially in grade 9. While DARE is well received in
the community, it does not have strong, positive outcome data as Project Northland does.
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Utilizing the DARE officers to deliver a model program with positive outcomes is
recommended. Across the board, the Task Force should continue to co-sponsor and
advocate for the integration K-12 of model prevention education programs for children
and their parents from the elementary to the high school level. While the emphasis
should continue to be at the middle school, “booster” sessions should occur in every
grade thereafter to benefit from those prevention activities. The Task Force could benefit
the community by promoting the concept of drug prevention programming beginning in
early childhood education before fifth grade and continuing it yearly after middle school.
The hope is to educate before youth become ingrained with unhealthy societal norms.
Other model programs can be found at www.prevention.samhsa.gov/
Since the use of alcohol and other drugs dramatically increases at these critical times, the
school district should be supported and encouraged to adopt a comprehensive transition
program for students moving from elementary to middle school. It should also consider
expanding any existing transition program from the middle to high school grades. As
indicated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services: National
Institutes of Health (2003),
"…research has shown that the key periods for drug abuse occur during major transitions in
children's lives. These transitions include significant changes in physical development (for
example puberty) or social situations (such as moving or parents divorcing) when children
experience heightened vulnerability for problem behaviors. The first major transition for children
is when they leave the security of the family and enter school. Later, when they advance from
elementary to middle or junior high school, they often experience new academic and social
situations, such as learning to get along with a wider group of peers and having greater
expectations for academic performance. It is at this stage - early adolescence - that children are
likely to encounter drug abuse for the first time."
The 2004-2005 SALT data indicates that overall use of all harmful substances by FosterGlocester middle school students is higher than the state average. A concern with the
middle school is the percentage of eighth graders who smoke cigarettes more than 20
times a month (8% versus 4% RI); use chewing tobacco more than 20 times a month (6%
versus 3% RI); use illegal drugs more than 10 times a month (8% versus 4% RI);
consume alcohol more than 20 times a month (8% versus 3% RI). A focus should also be
on students between the grades of sixth and seventh grades since this is the time that the
highest increase in use by students occurs in the district.
Among high school students (grade 9-12), Foster-Glocester youth report higher scores for
all four categories tracked by SALT. In addition, 17% report using cigarettes more than
20 days a month (10% RI); 13% use chewing tobacco more than 20 times a month (5%
RI); 21% are using illegal drugs more than 10 times a month (12% RI); 16% report using
alcohol more than 20 times a month (8% RI), indicating that a significant group of
students is smoking cigarettes and using illegal drugs on a regular basis. The best way to
alter these health risk practices is by using nationally validated model programs. Model
programs increase the likelihood of behavioral change.
CAST would benefit from co-sponsoring events on substance abuse with the other health
and substance abuse providers such as the Northwest Community Health Center, Tri-
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Town Community Action Program, and the Comprehensive Community Action Program.
The task force could also co-host workshops with the churches or the schools on topics
listed in the SALT survey by parents.
Alternatives The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health)
completed in 2003 shows a strong association between school connectedness and a
variety of risks. Researchers found that youth who felt connected to school are less likely
to use substances, engage in violent behavior, experience emotional distress or become
pregnant. The single greatest indicator of school connectedness was a school climate that
incorporated clear expectations, acknowledgment of all students as valuable and active
student involvement in classroom management.
A lack of healthy alternatives for youth during after school hours and on weekends is a
significant risk factor for some youth in the community. It is recommended that the outof-school programs at the middle and high school level be increased with an emphasis on
the creative, visual, manual and performing arts as well as on the activities that are
particularly available in a rural area. Those youth not involved in sports must be
validated and engaged in alternative activities that appeal to them. With in the towns,
there is a vibrant arts community and a strong farming community that could be further
engaged to support these efforts.
Students who participated in the youth focus group listed many additions they would like
to see in their community. As previously mentioned, they indicated that they wanted a
post-prom alternative provided. This may be reconsidered by CAST and the school
district for 2006. In order to be successful, a broad range of youth would have to be
involved in all aspects of the planning. High school youth echoed the wish of their
younger peers to have a place to “hang out” that they can access easily, such as a
recreation center or a YMCA. (Recently, community members in Chariho joined
together to bring a “Y” to their area.)
There is a need for a safe and supervised location for youth especially during the hours
after school, but due to budget constraints it would be difficult to build a new site. For
this reason CAST may wish to promote the idea of an intergenerational center at the
future Glocester Senior Center, or at least utilize it as such for some days of the week.
The new senior center would be an excellent location for CAST and other community
programs to run after-school, night and weekend programming. CAST might want to
create a “Family Night” at the Senior Center. This “Family Night” could include many
activities and would be a way to provide educational materials on substance use and also
resources for all members of the community. Another possible idea would be for the
youth to read to the seniors at the center as a tie-in with the school or plan an
intergenerational project highlighting the rich history of the towns. This may be a way to
involve more youth, and possibly parents, in the task force since they could help plan for
these events. Any manner that these two groups interact would benefit both the seniors
and the youth and foster both community bonding and community pride. Many senior
citizens in the towns may not have a grandchild, and conversely many youth may not be
able to see and know their grandparents. It is also recommended that the task force and
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the school district investigate the “community schools” concept whereby creative and
innovative after school activities offered by town residents are linked with the schools’
learning objectives.
Some Foster-Glocester youth participate in Youth2Youth, a nationally recognized
prevention program. They could also take advantage of other existing alternative
prevention programs that are offered in Rhode Island. The Teen Institute is a program for
middle and high school students offered free by Initiatives for Human Development
throughout the year. This program provides a safe environment for youth leaders to
develop skills to improve their community while interacting with youth from around
Rhode Island. The National Conference for Community Justice offers Anytown, a
program that promotes peaceful, multicultural relationships. The exposure to youth from
urban and more suburban areas would infinitely assist this rural community to promote
well-rounded future leaders. MADD RI also holds an annual youth conference focusing
on prevention.
CAST may wish to sponsor a community forum similar to what the Barrington Task
Force and Barrington CARES programs did. Even though this was held in response to a
recent tragedy, Foster and Glocester have had some of these events and need not wait for
the next one prior to organizing this forum. The forum, “A Community Responds –
Uniting for Positive Change” could become a grassroots effort by collaborating with the
local PTOs.
Community-Based Processes Traffic crashes involving alcohol are still claiming
thousands of lives each year. According to MADD, more than 2,200 15 to 20 year olds
were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes in 2003. For community coalitions,
compliance checks are often part of their community-wide strategy, with many forming
strong partnerships with local businesses and law enforcement officials to reduce alcohol
sales to minors. For more information on community-based solutions to underage
drinking prevention, visit the Marin Institute’s website. In collaboration with the police
department, the task force may wish to consider promoting semi-annual alcohol
compliance checks of all establishments and join the “Night of Compliance” or form one
of its own. This would demonstrate to the community that underage alcohol use will not
be accepted in the community, and it would increase the task force’s visibility in the
community.
CAST could also consider adopting a program currently run by the other substance abuse
task forces, "Safe Homes." The "Safe Homes" campaign is a prevention project whereby
parents identify their homes as places where parents will supervise teen parties and not
serve alcohol to them. This strategy would be an extension of the traditional “Safe
Homes” program that identifies homes as safe for children to go when working or
playing. Key informants identified "open houses on weekends" and the fact that some
parents "host parties at their house" as risk factors for the community.
According to SALT, only 5-11% of middle and high school parents had attended a
workshop in the past year. The majority of these parents (between 85% - 89%) indicated
29
that they would be able to attend a conference, meeting or workshop in the evening rather
than morning or afternoon. When asked what workshop topics parents of Foster and
Glocester youth would like to attend, parents of children at all grade levels indicated:
“How children grow and develop at my child’s age”; “How to discipline children”; “How
to help my child develop his/her talents”; “How to deal with stress”; and “Helping
children take tests” were the top four topics. Services in the community that these
parents would like to know more about are, "after-school sports activities”, “other afterschool clubs or lessons to develop talents”, “community service that children can do”,
“summer programs for children”, and “information on museums, shows”, and “events in
the community”. To increase the likelihood of attendance, parents and youth should be
invited to be part of the planning process for any programs.
Transportation, a problem for both elderly and youth in the town, might be addressed
through a grant source that specializes in capital expenditure projects. Increasing the
mobility of some seniors would reduce loneliness and isolation, risk factors for this
population.
Environmental Approaches According to the juvenile arrest data provided by the RI
Juvenile Justice Commission, 8% of Foster and 58% of Glocester youths arrested in 2004
were remanded to parents. This is significantly lower than many other communities.
More than 40% of these detentions occurred between 6 PM – 9 PM. In order to alter the
norming of binge drinking and marijuana use in the town, the school and community
must also intensify its enforcement of laws regarding alcohol and marijuana use by
minors. Some youth persist in seeing enforcement as selective and avoidable. Continued
collaboration with the police and Juvenile Hearing Board is needed for the safety of
students and for enforcement purposes. The Juvenile Hearing Board could require a
model program such as “Parenting Wisely,” a Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
(CSAP) CD ROM based parenting program as a component of remediation for offending
youth and their families. This has been successfully done in communities nationally.
According to the RI Juvenile Justice Commission, in 2004 there were a total of 62 case
sanctions by the Foster-Glocester Juvenile Hearing Board. “Parenting Wisely” can be
incorporated with the Youth Responsibility Program, Project Peer, and SCORE which are
used by the Hearing Board. The Hearing Boards can also resume referral to RYDD
(Reducing Youthful Dangerous Driving)
Citizens and Students Together (CAST) may wish to adopt the concept of a “Prom
Contract.” This contract has been used by other high schools around the country. The
contract details the consequences of using, possessing or distributing alcohol and other
illegal drugs and requires a parent’s signature. The parent also leaves a phone number
where they can be reached on prom night. A drug and alcohol free post prom with
incentives for attendance would help alleviate substance use during this high risk time.
Community based organizations and coalitions are increasingly turning to environmental
approaches – media advocacy and public policy processes – to change not only societal
values but also the laws and regulations. As stated in www.jointogether.org, families,
schools, other community organizations, and local practitioners have an important role to
30
play in bringing about changes in the larger physical and psychosocial environment. The
choice to use substances may occur at the individual level, but just as family, peer, and
school factors influence these choices, so too do factors in the community and society as
a whole. Five environmental strategies can have a significant impact. They are: policy,
enforcement, education, communication, and collaboration. These environmental
strategies for preventing, reducing, or eliminating substance abuse also contribute to
violence prevention (Northeast Center for Applied Prevention Technologies). The Center
for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) is a federal organization designed to encourage
creative and effective efforts aimed at reducing and eliminating alcohol, tobacco, and
other drug problems in our society. CSAP has many publications about prevention and
community organizing which are available through the National Clearinghouse for
Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), www.health.org or 1-800-729-6686.
CAST does currently target youth groups to carry out several environmental strategies.
This year Youth2Youth, a youth-focused organization in both middle and high school, is
spearheading a project to stop the sales of marijuana paraphernalia in local convenience
stores. They will collaborate with the business associations and the local police in support
of their efforts.
Another effort that CAST should promote in the community are tobacco as well as
alcohol compliance checks. For example, in Foster in 2004, of the 6 establishments
serving alcohol, only 2 were completed and that one sold to a minor. Since 2000 only 1-2
establishments have been checked and in all years at least 1 is found to serve a minor. In
Glocester in 2004, of 15 establishments licensed to serve or sell alcohol, only 4 were
surveyed and 2 served to minors. In the years since 2000, a maximum of 6
establishments have been surveyed and in all but one year 50% have served to a minor.
CAST should advocate for surveying of all establishments twice a year to promote
compliance to the law.
Problem Identification and Referral The Task Force currently distributes a flyer
describing its work and listing local treatment services. It could expand this concept by
taking the lead in the development and distribution of a resource manual. This would
include all available services and agencies in the local area. As mentioned by a key
informant, essential information could even be provided on a handout or magnet,
whatever allows the greatest number of people the possibility of identifying needed
support services. Other communities, such as Pawtucket, have been successful in
developing a resource manual. The manual could include basic information on
addictions (alcohol and other drugs), education (adult, family, children), employment,
family (divorce, stepfamilies), health (mental/emotional health, physical health, eating
disorders), housing, legal issues (laws and regulations for people under 21, search
warrants), loss and grief (family and friends, pet loss), minority services, nutrition,
physically and/or mentally challenged youth services, running away, sexual activity
(AIDS and other STDs, birth control, unplanned pregnancy), sexual orientation, social
and recreational activities, spirituality, suicide, transportation. Such a resource guide,
once completed, simply needs to be updated on an annual basis. Particularly in a town
where resources are usually found outside the community and where new families are
31
constantly moving in, this resource would be most helpful. The guide could also be made
available online. The high school student newspaper or student council, as well as the
local newspaper, can serve as resources for substance abuse information distribution.
The total percentage of middle and high school students using alcohol and other drugs in
the towns since 1997-1998 has maintained or slightly increased. However, it cannot be
ignored that, according to the 2004-2005 SALT survey, the Foster-Glocester district has
some of the highest levels of substance use of all communities in Rhode Island. More
alarming is the fact that there is a significant increase evident in the regular use of
alcohol and other drugs by students. As previously stated, regular use of chewing
tobacco increased by 4% from 1997-1998; regular use of illegal drugs by 8% and alcohol
consumption by 6% over the same time period. Among Foster-Glocester high school
youth regular use of chewing tobacco increased by 10%; illegal drugs by 9% and regular
use of alcohol increased by 9% from 1997-1998 to 2004-2005. Unfortunately, the
percentage of students using illegal drugs and alcohol on a regular basis and in need of
intervention is too high to be acceptable. It is therefore recommended that student
assistance services be expanded and be clearly focused on identifying and referring those
youth who are already using alcohol and other drugs on a regular basis. In addition,
supporting the placement of a School Resource Officer through the police departments, a
practice popular with both students and the community at large in other municipalities
should also be considered.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Foster and Glocester are rural communities facing many of the same issues that affect all
other communities in Rhode Island. Its community programs and cooperative town
government are resources afforded to this community that can assist the task force. The
task force should continue to work from this “strengths” perspective when addressing the
substance abuse issue. Many community leaders, including youth, are aware that
substance use is a major issue and are prepared to address the matter. CAST has done a
good job promoting itself through its website and outreach but still could become more
visible so that more of the community sees it as a resource. Because of the high levels of
adolescent use reported, it is strongly recommended that CAST focus its resources on: 1)
institutionalizing model prevention curricula, especially in grades 5-12, and 2) promoting
environmental strategies that give the message that underage use of alcohol, tobacco use
and illegal drug use (including illegal use of prescription drugs) are not acceptable in
Foster and Glocester. This latter effort must be planned strategically over a number of
years in order to effect a change in the community norm that seems to say that with
respect to substance use, “kids will be kids.”
Citizens and Students Together (CAST) should sponsor and promote events and places
that provide youth a safe place to gather. An increased level of responsibility is
necessary on the part of many parents in the towns to provide safe places for youth to
gather, either in their homes or at a supervised location. It is important that CAST target
middle school students since, according to the SALT survey, the largest increase in use by
Foster-Glocester students is between sixth and seventh grades.
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Unfortunately there is some significant denial within the community about the level of
use among area youth and a vague awareness and concern about substance abuse as
problem within Foster and Glocester. It is recommended that CAST begin by focusing
on community mobilization and collaboration with other groups in the area, including the
churches and 4-H. These efforts may include community forums, collaborative meetings
with local agencies, and the development of a resource manual sponsored by business and
local agencies. The primary challenge for CAST, by virtue of its mission, is to address the
norming of substance abuse by youth in the town. A combination of education and
alternative strategies combined with a heavy emphasis on environmental strategies
strategically planned over at least five years is most likely to be effective in addressing
this. CAST could best do this by utilizing its existing Partners In Prevention as an
advocacy group for this agenda.
The recommendations above are, in many cases, beyond the scope of CAST itself. These
would need to be prioritized strategically by an expanded membership over three to five
years to be workable. Based on the key informant interviews and focus groups, it is clear
that there are a critical number of persons, young and old, living in Foster and Glocester
who are invested in its future. However, the town needs assistance in focusing and
nurturing this energy to define itself as a place that, in prevention terms, “fosters attitudes
and creates conditions that promote the well being of its people.”
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Foster-Glocester Interviews
Key Informants
1. David Chase, Teacher, Foster-Glocester School District
2. Mildred Cowell, Glocester senior citizen
3. Linda Dandrow, Foster-Glocester High School Nurse
4. Lee Goulet, Ponnaganset Student Assistance Counselor
5. Jamie Hainsworth, Chief, Glocester Police
6. Reverend Bob Hollis, Roger Williams Baptist Church
7. Anne Irons, Town Clerk, Foster
8. Carol McCullough, Publisher, Foster Home Journal
9. Sam Mooney, Foster Police Officer
10. Connie Richardson, Glocester senior citizen
11. Diane Femino, Foster parent
12. Kathy Roberts, President, Glocester Business Association
Focus Groups
Foster-Glocester Middle School Focus Group
Foster-Glocester High School Focus Group
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